How to Avoid a Red Card in Soccer (Reading Class)

There are very few penalties in popular American sports that are equivalent to receiving a red card in soccer. In all sports when a key player "fouls out" the consequences can be dire. In soccer when a player receives a red card it doesn't just signal the loss of a single person; it hobbles the team as a whole. For the benefit of the team, players must control themselves and avoid receiving the powerful red card.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Play to Avoid a Red Card in Soccer

1. Step 1
   Understand the procedure for awarding and receiving a red card. After the official has held up the red card, the player must immediately and without disagreement leave the soccer field.
   
2. Step 2
   A red card can be given even if no yellow card has been previously given.
   
3. Step 3
   Understand the team consequences for receiving a red card. Red cards seriously and unnecessarily hamper your team and place it at a numeric disadvantage to your opponent.
   
4. Step 4
   Note the individual consequences for receiving a red card. You may be prohibited from playing in the next game in a tournament situation or from league play.
   
5. Step 5
   Avoid receiving a red card by knowing the offenses for which it can be given.
   
6. Step 6
   Receive two yellow cards and a red card is automatic.
   
7. Step 7
   Play in a way that does not endanger the safety of your teammates or the opposing players. Unsafe play can result in a red card.
   
8. Step 8
   Refrain from violence, spitting and language and/or gestures that are rude, violent and/or offensive in nature.
   
9. Step 9
   Deliver an apparent foul to stop an undeniable goal and you will receive a red card.
   
10. Step 10
    Block a goal with your hands deliberately and you may face a red card. Only the goalkeeper may use hands on a ball.
    
11. Step 11
    Respect the right of the official to give out a red card at any time for an offense that may not be specifically stated in the rules. Those who do not play soccer in the spirit of the game may be ejected at any time.
    

Tips & Warnings

• Players who receive red cards and are thus ejected from the game cannot be replaced. The team plays from that time on minus a player.
• Even the goalkeeper can receive a red card and must immediately leave the field. If a goalkeeper must leave the field after the maximum number of substitutions has been made, then a person currently at play on the field will have to go to the goal.
• If a red card ejection causes the team to fall below the minimum number of players needed to play, the team will have to forfeit the game.